Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-02
THE STATE LIBRARY.
The work which has been done by Lii
brarian Hobbs during the past year.


One of the peasantest departments in the
Capitol is the State Library. 1t is quite
climb up two long flights of stairs to the
rooms of this department, but once there,
one has an excellent chance to rest and feels
at once amply repaid for his trouble. 1t is
certainly delightful place and one in which
any lover of books may take solid comfort.
The light that comes in through the large
skylghts and the side windows is sufficient to
render the roomy alcoves available for reading
during the greater part of the day. There are
plenty of seats and large tables well supplied
with writing materials, furnish an excellent OPP
portunity for the man who is after pointers"
and data to write out his notes and make his
investigations. The view from the windows
is beautiful one. 1t takes in the surround
ing hills, the kennebec river winding its way
among them, the buildings of the Insane
Asylum, the State grounds and the city of
Halowell. There is no plcasanter place
than this about the State House or one where
person will be more courteously received.
Hon. j. S. Hobbs, the genial librarian is
always ready to do everything in
his power to assist the researches
of visitors, and there is probably no man in
this State who possesses a wider acquaintance
with books than he. Although the public
may not hear SO much about this department
as about some others it is not because there
l.. al Nc
Mr.. Hobbs is an earnest worker and the
great and valuable changes which have been
made in the library under his administration
are all the proof which is necessary of the
the earnest desire of Mr.. Hobbs, from the
first to complete the files of the public docu-
ment of the various States of the
Union, and to build up the
pleteness. The success which has attended
his efforts in this direction has been very
gratifying and has lded immeasurably to
the value of library for purposes of refer
ence.
But while so much has been done to build
up the legal department of the library the
other departments have not been neglected.
Literature, History, Science, Biography, and
Art have all received careful attention and
latest and most valuable works bearing upon
each of them have been added to the library
During the past year large number of
important and valuable books have been
added The law library in particular has been
greatly improved by the addition of 1876 new
books. Among these are ninety-two volumes
of English Law Reports comprised in the Ap-
pellate, Common Law and Equity series
These works may be found on shelf sixteen
of the first alcove The library now contains
nearly full set of the English Law Reports.
Another work which has been added to the
law library during the past year is Chittys
Index---fve volumes---to all the reports Of
cases decided in the several courts
of equity in England. Lawyers will reality
recognize the value of this work. Another
valuable law work which has been added this
year is Abbotts National Digest of the re-
| ports and statutes in the United States courts.
This is complete in four large volumes. Both
| Chitty and Abbott may be found in the sec
ond alcove News Common Law Digest
| in seven Soumes---a digest Of the reported
decisions of the common law, Bank
ruptcy, Probate, Admiralty, and divorce
courts, from 1856 to 1888 inclusive. Besides
these works there have been added all the
leading text books published during the year
on elementary law. These are among the
most important additions TO the law library
although, as will be seen, there are many
more.
While, however, Mr.. Hobbs has given
special attention to the law department of the
library, he has not failed to keep sharp
watch upon other publications. and to the
list of miscellaneous works has added all
those which are of the most value and are the
oftenest called for.
Among the latest works which have come
into the library is Johnson's Universal Cyclic
pedia in eight volumes, which Mr.. Hobbi
considers very valuable work---a complete
library of concentrated knowledge.
The progress of the library during th'
past year has certainly been gratifying, and
. as now arranged, this department is a credit
to the State.